Archives for March 2012

“The regeneration of Africa means that a new and unique civilization is soon to be added to the world.”

Pixley ka Isaka Seme (1882–1951)
Political Activist
BA 1906, LLD 1928

Seme and three colleagues laid a foundation of modern South Africa when they organized the South African Native National Congress in 1912. Renamed the African National Congress in 1923, the group has led the struggle for political, social, and economic rights for black South Africans. Seme was a major force in the Congress, serving as its first treasurer and as president-general from 1930 to 1936. He also launched its newspaper Abantu-Batho, the country’s first for black readers, and led the movement to buy land for black settlers.

Seme was the first black South African to graduate from Columbia, earning his BA in 1906 along with the George William Curtis medal, the University’s highest oratorical honor. (The quotation above comes from his prize-winning address.) He later studied law at Oxford, and in 1928 received an LLD from Columbia. Of the University, he wrote, “I enjoy hard work, and I have always desired to be in the center of things. This is why I came to Columbia. New York City is the cynosure of all American life; the greatest interests of the country are directed from this center. A glance through the city’s records is enough to convince any mind that Columbia is a force behind the throne in the greater movements of New York life.”

For further information regarding this event, please contact Angela Velez by sending email to mrcinfo@columbia.edu or by calling 212-854-1784.

Perspectives on Diversity Alumni BrunchThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions’s Multicultural Recruitment Committee invite Columbia College and Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni to join us for the Perspectives on Diversity Alumni Brunch in honor of students admitted to the Class of 2016.Perspectives on Diversity is designed to introduce newly admitted students to the Columbia community through a myriad of campus events, and the brunch connects prospective students with alumni like you.Our keynote speaker will be: Fernando Ortiz Jr. CC ’79,We hope you will be able to join us! Register for this Event

Join us for a game of pool or ping pong, great networking and drink specials:

$4 beers
$4 well drinks
$5 wine
$6 House Martinis

We will also be raffling off of great raffle prizes including Knicks Tickets, Yankees Tickets, Alvin Ailey Tickets, Complimentary Bottle Service, Free Happy Hours, and gift cards to Dinosaur BBQ, Hill Country BBQ, Calle Ocho and other great restaurants and retailers. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit our scholarship fund.